Los Angeles May Limit Charters From New Schools

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Unified School District board is considering a proposal that would curtail the district's landmark program that allows outside groups to run selected new and underperforming schools.

The board is expected to vote Tuesday afternoon on the amendment to its 3-year-old "public school choice" program in which charter organizations and teacher-led teams submit plans to operate brand new and failing schools. The school board chooses the group with the best plan.

School board member Steve Zimmer wants to amend the program so that district teacher and administrator teams are given preference to operate new schools. He says new schools shouldn't be given to charters until district educators have had a chance.

Charter school advocates, parents and community organizers are expected to speak against the proposal.